Countdown begins for Pacific Infrastructure Conference-2
The countdown has begun for the second Pacific Infrastructure Conference, set to take place from 18-20 August 2025 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event will bring together decision-makers, developers, investors, and community voices from across...
Ewen McDonald takes up post as Australia’s High Commissioner
Australia’s new High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, His Excellency Mr Ewen McDonald, arrived in Port Moresby on 7 May 2025 to formally commence his diplomatic posting, reinforcing the continuity of one of Australia’s most significant regional partnerships. Mr...
‘Yumi Stap Wantaim’: PNG-Australia ties mark 50 years of independence
The launch of Australia’s Yumi Stap Wantaim campaign –a year-long celebration of Papua New Guinea’s 50th year of independence– has been welcomed by Prime Minister James Marape as a timely affirmation of the evolving partnership between PNG and its closest bilateral...
BSP launches dedicated Business Bank to drive SME growth
Bank South Pacific (BSP) has launched a standalone Business Bank unit in Port Moresby, reaffirming its strategic commitment to modernising financial services and supporting the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Papua New Guinea. The BSP...
New co-investment fund to boost Fiji’s MSME sector
Business Link Pacific has launched a new Co-Investment Fund to strengthen the capacity of Fiji’s micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), with a strong focus on sustainability, inclusion, and job creation. The announcement was made during the JuiceIT-2025...
Fiji’s growth outlook for 2025 revised down to 2.7%
Westpac has revised Fiji’s economic growth forecast for 2025, reducing it from an earlier estimate of 3.4 per cent to 2.7 per cent. The downgrade was announced in late April 2025 as part of the bank’s latest economic outlook for the Pacific region. The revision...
Countdown begins for Pacific Infrastructure Conference-2
The countdown has begun for the second Pacific Infrastructure Conference, set to take place from 18-20 August 2025 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event will bring together decision-makers, developers, investors, and community voices from across...
Countdown begins for Pacific Infrastructure Conference-2
The countdown has begun for the second Pacific Infrastructure Conference, set to take place from 18-20 August 2025 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event will bring together decision-makers, developers, investors, and community voices from across...
Pacific economies face compounding global challenges: IMF official
This report is condensed from an interview with Nada Choueiri, Deputy Director of the IMF’s Asia and Pacific Department, Washington DC by PACNEWS Senior Journalist Pita Ligaiula. Pacific Island countries (PICs) are grappling with a complex array of economic...
New Caledonia enacts 50-year deep-sea mining ban
New Caledonia has imposed a 50-year ban on deep-sea mining across its entire Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), covering approximately 1.3 million square kilometers. This move positions the French Pacific territory among the most restrictive globally concerning seabed...
Uncertainty grows around Vanuatu’s Airbus payment
Concerns are mounting over the fate of a VT2 billion (US$16.5 million) deposit made by the Vanuatu Government in 2019 for Airbus aircraft that have yet to be delivered. The deal, intended to mark a bold expansion for the national carrier, has become the subject of...
Tuvalu embraces digital banking with ATMs
In April 2025, Tuvalu marked a significant milestone in its financial history by unveiling its first-ever Automated Teller Machines (ATMs). This development signifies a transformative step toward modernizing the country’s banking infrastructure and enhancing financial...